The sector is concerned by reports that there won’t be a cap on the levy that can be imposed by mayors
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has been doing an interview round this morning. She is keen to escalate her attack on Andy Burnham over his comment at PMQs yesterday that “we do everything to support our national security, but it can’t come at the expense of social security.”
Burnham said that the Tory plan to raise defence spending by £10bn a year mostly by cutting welfare would make hundreds of thousands of children homeless.
What we’re doing is making sure that people are protected, but capping the amount that people get on benefits because we need to look after our national security.
Without national security, there aren’t going to be any benefits. We’re all going to be in danger, far more people will be homeless, and the government’s first duty is defence of the realm …
We have always been clear that while central government will set the framework for this power, it will be up to local leaders and local voters to decide what is right for their area.